Lafayette, Louisiana

For other uses, see Lafayette (disambiguation).

Lafayette, Louisiana
Consolidated city-parish
Downtown
St. John the Evangelist's Cathedral
Charles H. Mouton House
Old Lafayette City Hall
Cajundome
First United Methodist Church
Flag of Lafayette, Louisiana
Flag
Emblem
Seal
Official logo of Lafayette, Louisiana
Logo
Nickname: 
The Hub City
Motto: 
The Heart of Cajun Country
Map
Map
Map
Interactive maps of Lafayette
Coordinates: 30°13′N 92°2′W / 30.217°N 92.033°W / 30.217; -92.033
CountryUnited States
StateLouisiana
ParishLafayette
Founded1821 (203 years ago) (1821) as Vermilionville
Renamed1884 (140 years ago) (1884) as Lafayette
Founded byJean Mouton
Named forGeneral Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette
Government
 • TypeConsolidated city–parish
 • MayorMonique Blanco-Boulet (R)
Area
[1]
 • Total56.00 sq mi (145.03 km2)
 • Land55.92 sq mi (144.83 km2)
 • Water0.08 sq mi (0.20 km2)  auto%
 • Metro
3,408.5 sq mi (8,828 km2)
Elevation
49 ft (15 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total121,374
 • RankUS: 234th
 • Density2,170.57/sq mi (838.07/km2)
 • Urban
227,316 (US: 172nd)[2]
 • Urban density1,410.1/sq mi (544.4/km2)
 • Metro
478,384 (US: 118th)
 • CSA
627,146 (US: 77th)
 • Consolidated
244,390
DemonymLafayettien
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
70501–9, 70593, 70596, 70598
Area code337
FIPS code22-40735
Websitewww.lafayettela.gov

Lafayette (/ˌlæfiˈɛt, ˌlɑːf-/ LA(H)-F-ee-ET, French: [lafajɛt]) is the most populous city in and parish seat of Lafayette Parish in the U.S. state of Louisiana,[3] located along the Vermilion River. It is Louisiana's fourth-most populous city with a 2020 census population of 121,374;[4] the consolidated city-parish's population was 241,753 in 2020.[5] The Lafayette metropolitan area was Louisiana's third largest metropolitan statistical area with a population of 478,384 at the 2020 census.[6] The Acadiana region containing Lafayette is the largest population and economic corridor between Houston, Texas and New Orleans.

Originally established as Vermilionville in the 1820s and incorporated in 1836,[7] Lafayette developed as an agricultural community until the introduction of retail and entertainment centers, and the discovery of oil in the area in the 1940s. Since the discovery of oil, the city and parish have had the highest number of workers in the oil and natural gas industry in Louisiana as of 2018.[8] With the issuance of a bond ordinance for a series of roads connecting nearby settlements; the establishment of the University of Louisiana System's Lafayette campus; and the continued diversification of its economy, Lafayette and its metropolitan area have experienced population growth since the 1840 census and was promptly nicknamed "The Hub City."[9][10] The city and parish of Lafayette are also known as the "Heart of Acadiana."[11]

As a result of its growth, the city and region have become major centers for the technology industry;[12][13] Lafayette also became a major center for health care and social services, aerospace, banking and retail.[14] Notable corporations with headquarters or a large presence in the Lafayette area have included Amazon,[15][16] Brookshire Grocery Company,[17] CGI,[18] JP Morgan Chase, Ochsner Health System,[19] Petroleum Helicopters International,[20] and Rouses Markets.[21]

Lafayette is home to a diverse population from Louisiana Creole and Cajun backgrounds.[22] In 2014, Lafayette was named the "Happiest City in America.”[23][24] The city and region's cultural icons include Alexandre Mouton House, Brandt House, Charles H. Mouton House, the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, Daigle House, First United Methodist Church, Holy Rosary Institute, Hope Lodge No. 145, and Old Lafayette City Hall. Its educational institutions include the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College, and Remington College.

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  2. ^ "List of 2020 Census Urban Areas". census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  3. ^ "Lafayette Parish - The official website of Louisiana". Government of Louisiana. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  4. ^ "QuickFacts: Lafayette city, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau. 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  5. ^ "QuickFacts: Lafayette Parish, Louisiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  6. ^ "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference :5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference :6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ "There's a Reason They Call Lafayette, Louisiana "The Hub City"". Innovation & Tech Today. Innovative Properties Worldwide. January 24, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  10. ^ "Lynn Guidry, Architect And Historian of Lafayette Parish". Discover Lafayette. October 1, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  11. ^ "What Are the Nicknames for Many Louisiana Towns?". News Radio 710 KEEL. Townsquare Media. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  12. ^ "As the tech industry grows in Acadiana, the race is on both locally and nationally for talent". The Acadiana Advocate. The Advocate. February 3, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  13. ^ "Tech company SchoolMint to move operations to Lafayette, creating 178 jobs with average salary of $74K". The Acadiana Advocate. The Advocate. July 27, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  14. ^ "20 Biggest Companies In Lafayette, LA - Zippia". www.zippia.com. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  15. ^ "Amazon building massive fulfillment center in Lafayette Parish". WAFB. Gray Television. December 22, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  16. ^ "What we know about Amazon's new Louisiana fulfillment center". KLFY. Nexstar Media. December 29, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  17. ^ "Super 1 Foods Locations". Brookshire Grocery Company.
  18. ^ "Three New Companies Move to the Silicon Bayou". Community Broadband Networks. Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  19. ^ "Lafayette General Health Joins Ochsner Health". Online Newsroom. Ochsner Health System. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  20. ^ "PHI, Inc". PHI, Inc - The Total Helicopter Company. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  21. ^ "Locations | Rouses Supermarkets". Rouses Supermarkets. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  22. ^ Wyatt, Megan (April 1, 2020). "New origin options for 2020 census could provide useful Cajun, Creole data". The Acadiana Advocate. The Advocate. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  23. ^ "Lafayette named the happiest city in U.S." The Daily Advertiser. Gannett. July 21, 2014. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  24. ^ "Lafayette, LA - Happiest City in America". Town Square Publications. March 7, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2021.